The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-08-03

ner long Journey, Wneu Sue3 rdCkcu
by pain, often could not speak for
hours, how like son he had cared for
her comfort. 1t was a sad story and
Elsie's tears fell fast.
But now," she said, "you are at
home. have put underclothes and
dry wrappers in here, auntie, until we
can have some dresses fitted. Let me
undress you now"
Gently and tenderly the shabby
clothes were removed, the weary feet
bathed, the gray-streaked hair smoothed
and snowy linen put on for the night.
Then, utterly tired out, Aunt Julia
sank into bed, whispering:
"Think of it, Elsiel l have not been
in bed for twelve nights'
But alas! she was not soon to leave
it. The haven of rest once gained
Aunt Julia lay for many long weeks
dangerously i'll with rheumatic fever,
brought on by exposure, while the tor
tured brain raved in the widest delir-
ium of scenes that chilled Elsie with
horror.
All through these weary weeks Elsie
was nurse, while Walter supplied every
delicacy that could be found to tempt
the invalid, patiently enduring the dis
comforts of house haunted by sick
ness and proving himself, Jennie de-
clared, the nearest to an angel of any
man she ever seed"
Winter was nearly over before Aunt
Julia was able to leave her bed, Grip
pied for life. The rheumatism had so
twisted the joints of her hands, legs
and feet that they were useless and
most of the time intensely painful.
She fretted over the prospect of being
burden upon Walter and Elsie with
all the despair of proud woman who
had always maintained her own indie
pendence, and tearfully begged to be
sent to some charitable asylum, where
she would be only a public expense
Elsie told Walter of this wish and he
went to Aunt Julia's room.
Taking the crippled, helpless hands
in his own, holding them very tenderly
he said:
"Aunt Julia, Elsie has told me how
hard these little hands worked for her
for seventeen long years. / love Elsie
so dearly that to grieve her is my great
est sorrow. Do you think / could bear
to see her panied by her second mother,
sick and alone, being nursed by hired
hands, while we are able and willing to
give her love and care? Do not speak
again of leaving us. l have not seen
Elsie's face so sad as it is tonight since
you came to u.s."
But, Walter, think l may live foi
years"
@ sincerely hope you will"
And l can never have any use OF
my hands and feet more than | have
now. l can scarcely feed myself OF
hobble across the room"
The more reason you should have
loving care. Why" and Walter laughed
while his honest brown eyes proved his
sincerity, " do you think all the love
here is Elsie's? 1 want my share, too
auntie, for | love you as well as my
wife. l ask you TO stay because wan
you here. / have not heard Elsie sigl
over long, lonely days since you came
1t took many more loving arguments
but at last Aunt Julia yielded. 1t wa
but truth that Walter spoke when h,
said she had won his love as well a
Elsie's. She was very patient under
circulating suffering and very CRATE
full for all the loving care lavished upor
her. When the pain subsidized and sh,
could talk she was charming company
well read and full of pleasant memorie,
and bright observations.
While she felt herself burden, Waite
and Elsie regarded her as a blessing
Walter no longer worried at leaving
Elsie alone all day, while he was at hi
business, and Elsie never tired of Aun
Julia, whose experience proved yer,
valuable to the little housekeeper.
But month after month there was
scarcely perceptible failing of strength
in the sorely tried body, long pas
youthful vigor. The rheumatic feve
had left heart trouble, and distressin
spells of suffocation and palpitatio
often threatened the invalid's life. Al
ways patient, she yet often prayed 70
death to end her suffering, while Elsi
prayed only that the dear life might b
stayed.
She had been Walter Hartman
guest for two years when her weakness
increased toan alarming extent, rapid
and certainly, till she could not leav
her bed. 1t was while she was herse
conscious that the end of her sufferin
was approaching that she received
letter from her lawyers in Chicago in
r forming her that he had received a
, offer of $4,000 for the lots of land sh
owned in that city.
She had looked upon her own bee
gary as so absolutely certain that {
, first she could scarcely credit the news
but Walter, in whose hands she ha
l placed the business, soon proved tn
offer no dream by accepting the tern
e and informing Aunt Julia the none
r lay in the bank in her name.
= "Now you can ride in your carriae
, when you are WE'LL" Elsie said, smilin
9 but tearfully. 81 am so glad, aunt,
= You will have something now for yor
old age"
e "But no old age, Elsie" was tn
= glad reply. am glad, too, darling
G very glad-but not for that"
, BY her own request lawyer cam
e and made her will, and then Aur
Julia, as if the care of life was ende
d for her, sank rapidly, growing ever
:, day weaker and more dependent upo
Elsie's loving, never-failing care.
5 1t was in early spring when, or
d evening as Walter came in, Jennie M
}, him, with her honest face all disfgure
n by crying.
e Sure, sir, it's asking for you Mi
= Julia u.s."
i.